More than HK$1.5 billion (US$193.5 million) in subsidies have been approved so far for eligible retailers under the Hong Kong government’s Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme.

The scheme is the first round of the administration’s Anti-epidemic Fund, involving more than 19,000 applications. Roughly 93,000 applications were received within the three-week application period, and disbursement of subsidies to approved applicants commenced on April 9.

“The government has been striving to speed up the implementation of the measures under the fund,” said chief secretary for administration and chairman of the Anti-epidemic Fund Steering Committee Matthew Cheung Kin-chung.

 “We were able to launch the RSSS within one month after the Legislative Council approved the setting up of the fund, providing timely relief to retailers hit by the epidemic.”

The government’s Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms is expected to be open for application early next month.